Buscar La Habichuela

There is a saying in Andalucia, "buscar la habichuela." Quite literally, it means to search for the bean, which couldn't be better. Figuratively, though, it means something more along the lines of to search for life and experience. This is, more or less, what I'm trying to to do with my time here.

My world is relatively static these days: I'm teaching a few new students, taking small trips around Andalucia, and doing my best to make time for the things that make me content. I'm writing less and reading more. Yesterday I finally began reading Hanif Abdurraqib's Go Ahead In The Rain, which, one chapter in, I will heartily recommend to anyone who likes hip hop, personal essays, or vivid and emotional writing.

Because it's about to be Semana Santa, or Holy Week, I have a break from work. So I'm buscando la habichuela and taking a trip outside of Huelva. In a few hours, I'll be on a bus to Portugal before making my way up to England. I will visit a friend of mine, and a few new cities, and I will finally catch up on sleep. My mind is happily scattered in pre-journey jitters.

Last Sunday, I spent the day in Ronda. Perhaps when I'm back home and in my routine again, I will share a few stories from that trip. For now, here is a low-res cell phone photo of the Puente Nuevo awaiting daybreak.

As always, thank you for reading this.

Looking southeast; cold April rain